Luggage case having an engaging mechanism for easily exchanging a pulling rod mechanism

ABSTRACT

A luggage case having an engaging mechanism for easily exchanging a pulling rod mechanism is disclosed. It can be used for an interior-typed or exterior-typed pulling rod mechanism. When it is the interior-typed condition, a locking plate is disposed near the top of the case. A lower receiving seat is disposed at the bottom inside the case for inserting the ends of the outer tubes. An upper cover seat is disposed on the outer tubes for locking or releasing from the locking plate. The engaging mechanism has two hooks and a button. So, by pressing the button, the user can control the pulling rod mechanism to lock on or release from the case. When it is the exterior-typed condition, the user still can easy control the pulling rod mechanism to be locked or released. Therefore, this invention&#39;s structure is simple. With destroying the case, its pulling rod mechanism can be quickly and easily exchanged.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a luggage case having anengaging mechanism for easily exchanging a pulling rod mechanism.Without destroying the case, its pulling rod mechanism can be quick andeasily exchanged.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Travelling is very popular recently. The luggage case can storemany things for a traveler. The luggage case manufacturers had designeda kind of luggage case that has an adjustable pulling rod mechanism.Because this kind of pulling rod is quite convenient, under a longperiod of use, the pulling rod is easy to be broken. Basically, thereare two types of pulling rod mechanisms, namely the interior-typed andthe exterior-typed. Please see FIG. 1. It is the interior-typed pullingrod mechanism. In which, a receiving slot 11 with two through holes 12is disposed on a top surface of a case 1. A holding seat 13 with anengaging hole 14 is mounted in the lower portion of the case 1. A coverseat 22 is disposed on the outer tubes 21 of the pulling rod mechanism20. The ends of these outer tubes 21 can pass through the through holes12 of the case 1 and insert into the engaging holes 14 of the holdingseat 13. Because the thickness of the case is limited, only theprotrusions 23 with thread can be installed in the inner surface of thecover seat 22. And, the protrusion 23 is to mate with a latch of thecase 1 so as to make the case 1 and the cover seat 22 are firmly fixedtogether. Thus, the puling rod mechanism 2 will be engaged with the case1. After finishing the assembling of the pulling rod mechanism 2, astorage layer 15 will be installed in the case 1 to cover the latch.Then, the assembling procedure of the pulling rod mechanism 2 iscompleted. However, when the interior-typed pulling rod mechanism 2 isout of order, because the outer tubes 21 and the cover seat 22 arecombined as one integral structure, it is impossible to detach orexchange the pulling rode mechanism 2 solely. If the user wants todetach the cover seat 22, one has to destroy the storage layer 15 insidethe case 1 and then detach the latch by a tool. After which, it ispossible to take out the cover seat 22 as well as the pulling rodmechanism 2. Once the storage layer 15 is broken or destroyed, the case1 is not a complete product anymore. Therefore, most users will simplythrow out the old cases 1 and buy new cases I instead. Thus, the usingcost is increased.

[0005] Referring to FIG. 2, it is a typical exterior-typed puling rodmechanism. A holding seat 31 with engaging holes 32 is disposed on theouter side and near the bottom of the case 3. A cover seat 42 is mountedon the outer tubes 41 of the pulling rod mechanism 4. The ends of thetubes 41 are inserted into the engaging hole 32 of the holding seat 31.Also, the cover seat 42 is disposed on the top surface of the case 3.Because the thickness of the case 3 is limited, similar to the conditionof the interior-typed pulling rod mechanism described above, theprotrusions 43 with thread has to be installed in the inner surface ofthe cover seat 42. And, the protrusion 43 is to mate with a latch of thecase 3 so as to make the case 3 and the cover seat 42 are firmly fixedtogether. Thus, the puling rod mechanism 4 can be engaged with the case3. After finishing the assembling of the pulling rod mechanism 4, astorage layer 33 will be installed inside the case 3 to cover the latch.Then, the assembling procedure of the pulling rod mechanism 4 iscompleted. However, when the interior-typed pulling rod mechanism 4 isbroken, because the outer tubes 41 and the cover seat 42 are combined asone integral structure, it is impossible to detach or exchange thepulling rode mechanism 4 solely. If the user wants to detach the pullingrod mechanism 4, one has to break or destroy the storage layer 33 insidethe case 1 and detach the latch similar to the condition of theinterior-type pulling rod mechanism 4. Then, it is possible to take outthe pulling rod mechanism 4. No matter the interior-typed orexterior-typed pulling rod mechanisms, once it is broken, the usercannot only exchange the pulling rod mechanism only. Thus, theconsumer's using cost is increased.

[0006] However, one luggage manufacturer developed a luggage case inwhich its pulling rod mechanism is exchangeable. As shown in FIGS. 3 and4, a case entitled “drag-type luggage case's fixing structure'simprovement” (Application No 85203642 in Taiwan) is disclosed. Itincludes a case 5, a drag device 6, a bottom frame 7 and two fixingseats 8. Two fixing frames 51 with several insert holes 511 are mountedon the back of this case 5. The bottom frame 7 has several wheels 71 andtwo inserting recesses 72. The drag device 6 contains inner tubes 61 andouter tubes 62. The outer tubes 62 are set with a horizontal bar 63. Theends of the outer tubes 62 can be inserted into the inserting recesses72 of the bottom frame 7. Two fixing seats 8 are disposed the innertubes 61 and the outer tubes 62 respectively. Each fixing seat 8 iscomposed of two frames 81. Each frame 81 has two frame holes 82corresponding to the insert holes 511 of the fixing plates 51. Insidethe frame 81, a guiding slot 812 for locating a compression spring 82and a push button 83 are disposed. Two sides of he push button 83 havetwo sloped holes 831 for receiving the protruded elements 841 of linkrods 84. Each of the link rods 84 has a curved hook 842 that isprotruded over the frame hole 811 of the frame 81. Whereby, when theuser wants to pull out the drag device 6, the user can press down thepush button 83 and then the compression spring 82 will be squeezed. Bymeans of the sloped holes 831 against the protruded elements 841 of thelink rods 84, the link rods 84 will move inward. Thus, the curved hooks842 will leave the frame holes 811. So, the drag device 6 and the bottomframe 7 can be separated from the case 5. However, the outer tubes 62 ofthe drag device 6 have to be fixed with the inserting recesses 72 of thebottom frame 7, so that the case 5 can be put on. It will increase themanufacturing cost. In addition, all the fixing seats 8 are using theircurved hooks 842 to engage with the insert holes 511 of the fixing frame51 of the case 5, it only can improve the exterior-typed pulling rodmechanism. But, it does not solve the problem of the interior-typedmechanism. So, the interior-typed pulling rod mechanism still cannot bereplaced or exchanged solely. Furthermore, the design of the slopedholes 831 of the push button 83 must be very precise. Otherwise, itmight not make the protruded elements 841 of the link rods 84 move.Also, if there is some designing or manufacturing error on the cam'smoving path of the curved hooks 842 and the corresponding to the slopesof insert holes 511 of the fixing frame 51, it will make the operationof the link rods 84 and the push button 83 wrong.

[0007] Therefore, this conventional cases still have many disadvantagessuch as cannot using on the interior-typed pulling rod mechanism, costis high, design and assembling are not easy, etc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The primary object of the present invention is to solve theabove-mentioned disadvantages of the conventional luggage cases andprovide a luggage case having an engaging mechanism for easilyexchanging a pulling rod mechanism. It can be widely used in theinterior-typed mechanism or the exterior typed mechanism. It mainlycomprises a case, a locking plate, a pulling rod mechanism, and anengaging mechanism. The locking plate is mounted on the case and has twostopping surfaces in stepped shapes. The engaging mechanism having twohooks and button is disposed on the upper cover seat. Its button isprotruded over the hole of the upper cover seat. Consequently, the usercan control the button to make the hooks lock on or release from thestopping surfaces of the locking plate. So, the pulling rod mechanismcan be easily engaged with or detached from the case. When thisinvention is used in an interior-typed pulling rod mechanism and whenthe pulling rod mechanism is out of order, the user can simply replace anew one by pressing the button to release the locking condition.Therefore, without destroying the case, the present invention has thefollowing advantages: simple structure, quick and convenient exchangingprocedure for the pulling rod mechanism, reducing the case's using cost,and raising the assembling efficiency during manufacturing.

[0009] The other object of the present invention is to provide a luggagecase having an engaging mechanism for easily exchanging a pulling rodmechanism, when it has the exterior-typed pulling rod mechanism. Inwhich, a lower cover seat is disposed on the ends of the outer tubes. Aholding seat is disposed near the bottom of the case for engaging withthe lower cover seat. When the pulling rod mechanism is broken, the userjust needs to press the button to release the hooks' locking condition.Then the user can pull out the whole set of the pulling rod mechanism.Again, without destroying the case, the present invention has thefollowing advantages: simple structure, quick and convenient exchangingprocedure for the pulling rod mechanism, reducing the case's using cost,and raising the assembling efficiency during manufacturing.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a luggagecase having an engaging mechanism for easily exchanging a pulling rodmechanism, when it has the exterior-typed pulling rod mechanism. Inwhich, both the upper and lower cover seats are disposed on the outertubes. Two corresponding locking plates are disposed on the case forengaging with the upper and lower cover seats. When the pulling rodmechanism is broken, the user just needs to press these two buttons torelease the upper and lower locking points. Then the user can pull outthe whole set of the pulling rod mechanism. Again, it also can achieveto purpose of easily exchanging the puling rod mechanism solely andother advantages mentioned above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 shows a conventional luggage case having the interior-typedpulling rod mechanism.

[0012]FIG. 2 shows another conventional luggage case having theexterior-typed pulling rod mechanism.

[0013]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a conventional luggage case whenit is disassembled.

[0014]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the assembled conventional luggagecase shown in FIG. 3.

[0015]FIG. 5 shows all the detailed components of the presentinvention's luggage case having the interior-typed pulling rodmechanism.

[0016]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the assembled present invention'sluggage case shown in FIG. 5.

[0017]FIG. 7 illustrates the assembling condition of the interior-typedpulling rod mechanism.

[0018]FIG. 8 illustrates the using condition of the interior-typedpulling rod mechanism.

[0019]FIG. 9 illustrates the detaching condition of the pulling rodmechanism.

[0020]FIG. 10 is an exploded view showing all disassembled components ofthe present invention's exterior-typed pulling rod mechanism.

[0021]FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a selected portion in FIG.10.

[0022]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the present invention'sexterior-typed pulling rod mechanism after assembled.

[0023]FIG. 13 shows the present invention in FIG. 12 after detached.

[0024]FIG. 14 is another using condition of the present invention'sexterior-typed pulling rod mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0025] Referring to FIGS. 5 to 8, the present invention is related to aluggage case having an engaging mechanism for easily exchanging apulling rod mechanism. This luggage case is used for an interior-typedpulling rod mechanism, comprising:

[0026] (a) a case 10 having an upper portion and an inner bottom. Alower receiving seat 11 is mounted on the inner bottom and has severalengaging holes 111. A receiving slot 12 with two through holes 121 isdisposed on a top surface of said case 10,

[0027] (b) a locking plate 20 is mounted on the upper portion and hastwo stopping surfaces 21. The stopping surfaces 21 are formed in steppedshapes. Two lateral sides of the stopping surfaces 21 are disposed withtwo limiting slots 22.

[0028] (c) a pulling rod mechanism 30 has outer tubes 31. An upper coverseat 32 has a hole 321.

[0029] (d) an engaging mechanism 40. The engaging mechanism 40 includesa cover 41 which has two recesses 411 on both sides for covering twosliding elements 42. Two hooks 421 are disposed on outer edges of thesliding elements 42. Each hook 421 has a sloped surface 422 at itsbottom for contacting with the recess 411, and the hooks 421 areprotruded over the cover 41. Two protrusions 423 with springs 43 aredisposed on two opposite ends of the two sliding elements 42. Eachprotrusion 423 has a guiding surface 424 corresponding to the slopedsurface 422. A button 44 is disposed between these two guiding surfaces424. Two stopping blocks 441 is disposed above two sides of the button44. Two tilted surfaces 442 are disposed below two sides of the button44 so as to mate with these the guiding surfaces 424 of the slidingelements 42.

[0030] Based on the above-mentioned structure, the cover 41 of theengaging mechanism 40 can be locked on the inner side of the upper coverseat 32 of the pulling rod mechanism 30 by using a latch. So, these twosliding elements 41, the springs 43 and the button 44 are directlyinstalled between the inner side of the upper cover seat 32 and thecover 41. The button 44 is protruded over the hole 321 of the uppercover seat 32. By means of two sides of the stopping blocks 441 pressingagainst the edge of the hole 321, it will not be loose or detached.Accordingly, the user can control the movement of the hooks 421 of thesliding elements 42 below the upper cover seat 32. Therefore, when it isthe interior-typed pulling rod mechanism, the user can put the outertubes 31 through the through holes 121 of the receiving slot 12 of thecase 10. Then, let the ends of the tubes 31 insert in the engaging holes111 of the lower receiving seat 11 of the case 10. After which, thehooks 421 of these two sliding elements 42 of the pulling rod mechanism40 can lock on the stopping surfaces 21 of the locking plate 20. So, theupper cover 32 of the pulling rod mechanism 30 can be installed in thereceiving slot 12. Because the bottoms of these two hooks 421 of theengaging mechanism 40 are disposed with two sloped surfaces 42, the usercan directly press down the upper cover seat 32 of the pulling rodmechanism 30 to make these two hooks 421 open. That is due to the slopedsurfaces 42 are guided by the limiting slot 22 of the locking plate 20.When the sloped surface 422 leaves from the limiting lost 22, by meansof the restoring force of the springs 43 between these two slidingelements 42, the hooks 421 will become a non-expanded normal state.Thus, it will clamp on the stopping surfaces 21 of the locking plate 20.Therefore, there is no need to use any latch to lock on.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 9, when the user wants to exchange the pullingrod mechanism, all the user need to do is just to press the button 44which is protruded over the upper cover seat 32. Once it is pressed, thetilted surfaces 442 of the button 44 will push on the sloped surfaces422 of these two sliding elements 42. Furthermore, these two slidingelements 42 will move outward and the hooks 421 of the sliding elements42 will move outward, too. Thus, it will be separated from the stoppingsurfaces 21 of the locking plate 20 and the locking condition of theengaging mechanism 40 will be gone. Meanwhile, the user can pull out thepulling rod mechanism 30 without destroying the luggage case. That is,it is very easy to exchange the pulling rod mechanism. Thus, it not onlycan reduce the using cost, but also and raise the assembling efficiency.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, they show the present invention thathas the exterior-typed pulling rod mechanism. In this embodiment, thelocking plate 20 is disposed near an upper outer portion of the case 50.A holding seat 60 with a staged surface 61 is mounted near a lower outerportion of the case 50. The upper cover seat 32 with a hole 321 isfitted with the tubes 31 of the pulling rod mechanism 30. The positionof the upper cover seat 32 with a hole 321 is corresponding to theposition of the locking plates 20 of the case 50. The cover 41 of theengaging mechanism 40 can be fixed with the upper cover seat 32 via alatch. These two sliding elements 42, the springs 43 and the button 44are installed between the upper cover seat 32 and the cover 41. Thisbutton 44 is protruded over the hole 321 of the upper cover seat 32 sothe user can press on. Therefore, the user can control the opening orclosing movement of the hooks 421 of the engaging mechanism 40. Thehooks 42 are disposed on two lateral sides in the upper cover seat 32.In addition, a lower cover seat 70 is disposed at the ends of the outertubes 31 of the pulling rod mechanism 30. This lower cover seat 70 witha hook portion 71 can be fitted with the staged surface 61 of theholding seat 60.

[0033] Therefore, in assembling, the user can put the lower cover seat70 into the holding seat 60 of the case 50. At this moment, the hookportion 71 will engage with the staged surface 61 of the holding seat 60to prevent any lateral sliding out. Then, by using the hooks 421 of theengaging mechanism 40, the sloped surfaces 422 are limited by thelimiting slots 22 of the locking plate 20. Thus, the hooks 42 are openedand then directly clamp on the stopping surfaces 21 of the locking plate20. Because the hooks 421 are fixed by the limiting slots 22 of thelocking plate 20, it will prevent the detachment of the pulling rodmechanism 40. Moreover, by means of the engaging mechanism 40, thepulling rod mechanism 30 can firmly lock on the case 50 for the user.Referring to FIGS. 10 to 13, once the user press down the button 44, itwill make these two sliding elements 42 move outward. So, the hooks 421of the sliding elements 42 will move outward, too. The hooks 421 willleave the stopping surfaces 21 of the locking plate 20 and further willrelease the locking condition of the engaging mechanism 40. Thus, theuser can finish the exchange procedure solely.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 14, this is another embodiment of the presentinvention that has the exterior-typed puling rod mechanism. In which,upper and lower cover seats 32 with holes 321 are installed on the outertubes 31 of the pulling rod mechanism 30. Each cover seat 32 containsone set of engaging mechanism 40 with two hooks 421. The button 44 ofeach engaging mechanism 40 is protruded over the hole 321 of thecorresponding cover seat 32 for the user to press down. These twobuttons 44 can control the hooks 421 of these two engaging mechanisms40. Two locking plates 20 are mounted on the corresponding positions ofthe case 50. Each locking plate 20 has two stopping surfaces 21 to beclamped by the hooks 421 of the engaging mechanism 40. Therefore, thepulling rod mechanism 30 can be engaged with the case 50 by these two(upper and lower) engaging mechanisms 40 via their hooks 421 locking onthese two locking plates 20. Furthermore, the hooks 421 will be fixed bythe stopping surface 21 of the locking plate 20. Therefore, the pullingrod mechanism 30 can be assembled on the case 50 for a convenient usage.And, it is easy to exchange the pulling rod mechanism 30.

[0035] In the present invention, no matter it is interior-typed orexterior-typed pulling rod mechanism, they can be locked or detachedeasily. It significantly improves the exchange efficiency. Further, itcan achieve the functions of easy of use, simplicity of the casestructure, quick exchange, reduction of the using cost and raising theassembling efficiency.

[0036] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the presentinvention, not intended to limit the scope thereof. Many modificationsof the above embodiments can be made without departing from the spiritof the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A luggage case having an engaging mechanism foreasily exchanging a pulling rod mechanism, said luggage case mainlybeing used for an interior-typed pulling rod mechanism, comprising: (a)a case having an upper portion and an inner bottom, a locking platebeing mounted on said upper portion and having two stopping surfaces, alower receiving seat being mounted on said inner bottom and havingseveral engaging holes; (b) a pulling rod mechanism having outer tubes,an upper cover seat having hole for fitting with said outer tubes, endsof the outer tubes being inserted into said engaging holes of said lowerreceiving seat of said case; and (c) an engaging mechanism, saidengaging mechanism being disposed in said upper cover seat of saidpulling rod mechanism, said engaging mechanism having a hook for lockingwith said stopping surfaces of said locking plate of said case so as toattach said pulling rod mechanism on said case, said engaging mechanismfurther having a button protruded over the hole of said upper cover seatso as to allow a user to press and control the hooks.
 2. A luggage casehaving an engaging mechanism for easily exchanging a pulling rodmechanism, said luggage case mainly being used for an exterior-typedpulling rod mechanism, comprising: (a) a case having an upper outerportion and a lower outer portion, a locking plate being mounted on saidupper outer portion and having two stopping surfaces, a holding seatwith a staged surface being mounted on the lower outer portion of saidcase; (b) a pulling rod mechanism having outer tubes, an upper coverseat having holes for fitting with said outer tubes corresponding to theposition of said locking plate, said pulling rod mechanism having alower seat having a hook portion corresponding to the position of saidholding seat of said case; and (c) an engaging mechanism, said engagingmechanism being disposed in one side of said upper cover seat of saidpulling rod mechanism, said engaging mechanism having hooks for lockingwith said stopping surfaces of said locking plate of said case so as toattach said pulling rod mechanism on said case, said engaging mechanismfurther having a button protruded over a hole of said upper cover seatso as to allow a user to press and control the hook.
 3. A luggage casehaving an engaging mechanism for easily exchanging a pulling rodmechanism, said luggage case mainly being used for an exterior-typedpulling rod mechanism, comprising: (a) a case having an upper outerportion and an lower outer, two locking plates being mounted on saidupper and lower outer portions respectively and having several stoppingsurfaces; (b) a pulling rod mechanism having outer tubes, an upper coverseat having holes for fitting with said outer tubes, a lower cover seatbeing disposed at ends of said outer tubes; and (c) two engagingmechanisms, said engaging mechanisms being disposed in said upper andlower cover seats of said pulling rod mechanism, each of said engagingmechanisms having two hooks for locking with said stopping surfaces ofsaid locking plate of said case so as to attach said pulling rodmechanism on said case, each of said engaging mechanisms further havinga button protruded over a hole of said upper cover seat so as to allow auser to press and control the hooks.
 4. A luggage case having anengaging mechanism for easily exchanging a pulling rod mechanism asclaimed in claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein: said stopping surfaces are formedin stepped shapes, and two lateral sides of said stopping surfaces aredisposed with two limiting slots so as to engage with said hooks of saidengaging mechanism.
 5. A luggage case having an engaging mechanism foreasily exchanging a pulling rod mechanism as claimed in claims 1, 2 or3, wherein: said engaging mechanism includes: a cover having tworecesses on both sides, for covering two sliding elements, hooks beingdisposed on outer edges of said sliding elements, each hook having asloped surface at its bottom for contacting with said recesses, saidhooks being protruded over said cover; two protrusions with springsbeing disposed on two opposite ends of said two sliding elements, eachprotrusion having a guiding surface corresponding to said slopedsurface; a button being disposed between said two guiding surfaces; twostopping blocks being disposed above two sides of said button; twotilted surfaces being disposed below two sides of said button so as tomate with said two sliding elements so that said cover will lock on saidcorresponding cover.
 6. A luggage case having an engaging mechanism foreasily exchanging a pulling rod mechanism as claimed in claims 1,wherein: a receiving slot with two through holes is disposed on a topsurface of said case, said through holes are provided for inserting withsaid outer tubes, so that the ends of the outer tubes are engaged insaid engaging holes of said lower receiving seat, and said upper coverseat of said pulling rod mechanism can be installed in said receivingslot.